Ventilated backpack

Abstract

A backpack has an air flow guide panel connected to the rear side of a rear storage pocket of the backpack such that an air flow channel is defined between opposing surfaces of the air flow guide panel and the rear storage pocket. The air flow guide panel and the pocket are shaped and arranged to define an inlet opening and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the air flow channel. The inlet opening is located adjacent the bottom of the pocket and the outlet opening is spaced apart along the height of the pocket from the inlet opening toward the top of the pocket. A blower is supported on the backpack for blowing air through the air flow channel along a flow path extending from the inlet opening through the outlet opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A backpack for being carried while engaging the back of a user, the backpack comprising:
 a pocket having a bottom, a top, and a height extending from the bottom to the top, the pocket defining a storage compartment and an access opening in communication with the storage compartment and including a reclosable closure for selectively opening and closing the access opening, the pocket including a rear portion extending along the height having a rearward facing air flow guide surface and a forward facing surface defining a portion of the storage compartment; 
 at least one shoulder strap connected to the pocket for suspending the backpack from a shoulder of the user such that the rear portion of the pocket is located adjacent the back of the user and the rearward facing air flow guide surface faces the back of the user; 
 an air flow guide panel having a forward facing air flow guide surface connected to the pocket such that the forward facing air flow guide surface is spaced apart in opposing relationship with the rearward facing air flow guide surface to define an air flow channel between the forward and rearward facing air flow guide surfaces, the air flow guide panel and the pocket being shaped and arranged to define an inlet opening and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the air flow channel, the inlet opening being located adjacent the bottom of the pocket and the outlet opening being spaced apart along the height of the pocket from the inlet opening toward the top of the pocket; and 
 a blower supported on the backpack for blowing air through the air flow channel along a flow path extending from the inlet opening through the outlet opening. 
 
     
     
       2. A backpack as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pocket further includes a first side portion and a second side portion defining a width of the pocket and the air flow guide panel is connected to the pocket at locations adjacent the first and second side portions, respectively, such that the air flow channel extends along a majority of the width of the pocket. 
     
     
       3. A backpack as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the air flow guide panel has first and second side edge margins extending along the height of the pocket, each of the first and second side edge margins connected to the rear portion of the pocket by a respective joining structure defining a respective side of the air flow channel located adjacent a respective one of the first and second side portions of the pocket. 
     
     
       4. A backpack as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the joining structure is configured to limit air flow through the joining structure. 
     
     
       5. A backpack as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer having a self-retaining form configured to support the air flow guide panel in spaced apart relationship with the rear pocket. 
     
     
       6. A backpack as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the spacer comprises first and second spacer elements extending vertically along the air flow guide panel at spaced apart locations along a width of the air flow guide panel. 
     
     
       7. A backpack as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second spacer elements have top portions that are laterally spaced apart from one another to define an outlet therebetween. 
     
     
       8. A backpack as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second spacer elements have bottom portions that are laterally spaced apart from one another to define an inlet therebetween. 
     
     
       9. A backpack as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first and second spacers define sides of the air flow channel. 
     
     
       10. A backpack as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second spacers includes a vertical portion that extends vertically along a side edge margin of the air flow guide panel and at least one of a top portion and a bottom portion that extends laterally inward from the vertical portion. 
     
     
       11. A backpack as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second spacers comprises a compressible pad. 
     
     
       12. A backpack as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each compressible pad comprises foam. 
     
     
       13. A backpack as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each compressible pad is sewn into a respective pocket on the air flow guide panel. 
     
     
       14. A backpack as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the spacer comprises a frame. 
     
     
       15. A backpack as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises at least one bowed frame member. 
     
     
       16. A backpack as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises at least one vertical frame member and at least one horizontal frame member. 
     
     
       17. A backpack as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of the air flow guide panel and the rear portion of the pocket has a top end margin extending along a width between opposite first and second end portions, the top end margins being attached to one another at the opposite first and second end portions thereof and being unattached along segments of the widths extending between the opposite first and second end portions to define the outlet opening between said segments of the widths. 
     
     
       18. A backpack as set forth in any of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply supported in the backpack, the blower being operatively connected to the power supply to draw power from the power supply. 
     
     
       19. A backpack as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising an electrical connector configured for connection to an external electronic device and operatively connected to the power supply for drawing power from the power supply when connected to the external electronic device.